The Covenant of Water

By: Abraham Verghese

Narrated by: Abraham Verghese

Length: 31 hrs and 16 mins

Publisher's summary

OPRAH’S BOOK CLUB PICK • INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • SUBJECT OF A SIX-PART SUPER SOUL PODCAST SERIES HOSTED BY OPRAH WINFREY

From the New York Times-bestselling author of Cutting for Stone comes a stunning and magisterial epic of love, faith, and medicine, set in Kerala, South India, following three generations of a family seeking the answers to a strange secret

“One of the best books I’ve read in my entire life. It’s epic. It’s transportive . . . It was unputdownable!”—Oprah Winfrey, OprahDaily.com

The Covenant of Water is the long-awaited new novel by Abraham Verghese, the author of the major word-of-mouth bestseller Cutting for Stone, which has sold over 1.5 million copies in the United States alone and remained on the New York Times bestseller list for over two years.

Spanning the years 1900 to 1977, The Covenant of Water is set in Kerala, on South India’s Malabar Coast, and follows three generations of a family that suffers a peculiar affliction: in every generation, at least one person dies by drowning—and in Kerala, water is everywhere. At the turn of the century, a twelve-year-old girl from Kerala’s long-existing Christian community, grieving the death of her father, is sent by boat to her wedding, where she will meet her forty-year-old husband for the first time. From this unforgettable new beginning, the young girl—and future matriarch, known as Big Ammachi—will witness unthinkable changes over the span of her extraordinary life, full of joy and triumph as well as hardship and loss, her faith and love the only constants.

A shimmering evocation of a bygone India and of the passage of time itself, The Covenant of Water is a hymn to progress in medicine and to human understanding, and a humbling testament to the difficulties undergone by past generations for the sake of those alive today. It is one of the most masterful literary novels published in recent years.

©2022 Abraham Verghese (P)2022 Recorded Books

There aren’t enough words..

I finished The Covenant of Water today and truly loved every word and every minute of it. So much so that I’m writing a review (I never do this) to suggest y’all read it with your ears too. I’m not the best book reviewer and if I went really in depth trying to describe it, I’d likely use the adjective “beautiful” way too much. It’s a story that spans three generations and touches on life, love, culture, death, addiction, medicine, resilience and so much more. The author has an amazing ability to weave story lines together that’s unlike any book I’ve ever read. Definitely moved into my top 5 favorite books. If you’re looking for a new book, make it this one.

I’d also like to say that the narrator (the author), does an impeccable job of reading his own work. Just..wow.

Must listen

A gem of a book. Beautifully written and narrated story of generations in a family. Do not overlook this one.

Stunning

I have to agree with Oprah, this is one of the best books I have read (or, in this case, listened to). A sweeping family epic spanning three generations with multiple different characters, written with a deep sense of humanity and heart. Yes, there were passages that were far too long, places where I zoned out for a bit, but ultimately so, so worth it. I have not read anything else by this author, but will as of now. Highly recommend.

Fiction is the great lie that tells the truth about how the world lives.

A Beautifully tragic story that is enhanced when read by the author. 30 hours of reading/ listening that is well worth the time and interest. All parts come together to create an amazing story that is interwoven with the author’s medical expertise and sensitivity to human life. Completing this book requires a time investment that is richly rewarded.

I learned so much

Wonderful story that fully immersed the reader. It contains so much detail about the Saint Thomas Christian community, the people and the land of the southern tip of India, much as the result of the author’s personal experience and travels to the regions covered in the book, as well as his extensive reading. To a large degree, he writes about what he knows: India, disease, and health care. What he doesn’t know, he learns by reading, travel, and numerous conversations with people who do know in depth. Also, he is well trained as a writer. Few authors are better prepared. I am proud to be a graduate of Stanford University School of Medicine (1966), where Professor Verghese currently teaches. I hope to read all of his works in the year to come.

Absolutely loved this book!

What an incredible, detailed journey through three generations and two countries. The story flows like a quiet river and your thoughts float as if you are there…witness to all the tragedy and triumphs put before you. Absolutely one of my favorite books I have listened to.

Excellent beyond words.

Wonderful book. I will recommend it to all I know. Thank you for your incredible effort.

Masterpiece!!!

It did not seem like this took 31 hrs. to listen. I devoured every word of the tragedies, grief, faith and mothers love. The characters were all likable and interesting. The descriptions of the medical and social/political information of the time was informative even if fictional. The narration was really good! Loved this masterpiece.

Epic

Every word has the intention to capture your attention, inviting your imagination to explore the depth of these characters and their worlds. I know I will read this novel again.

Must read!!!

Wonderful, captivating story, definitely envision this story on BIG Screen! Felt the love and passion in every word of the author as he read. Highly recommended!